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Nuggets' Brewer steps up his game

Forward averaged 14.2 points in 13 games this month

By Benjamin Hochman The Denver Post

Posted:
12/27/2012 10:12:22 PM MST

Updated:
12/27/2012 10:12:23 PM MST

DENVER -- As the sinewy sniper slithered down court, carving out enough space to comfortably flick a 3-ball, one had to surmise that this was not the Nuggets' Corey Brewer. This was Florida's Corey Brewer.

Like his Gainesville glory days, Brewer took over Wednesday night, torching the Lakers for 27 points, tying a career high. He splashed six 3s, a career high. He spearheaded a victory against the hated rivals from LA, his new Kentucky Wildcats.

"It was one of those nights," Brewer said. "When (my shots) started going down, the basket got big."

The good news is that Brewer, Denver's most improved player this season, has been having those nights quite often. Yes, the Nuggets are one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the league. And yes, there are nights when they could use the surefire launches of an Al Harrington or Arron Afflalo. But Brewer's offensive game, which is more than just 3s, has made him valuable, not bad for a guy generally known for his defensive game.

Brewer has had a monster month, averaging 14.2 points on 50.3 percent shooting in 13 games.

And he has fed off his playmakers -- 77 percent of his field goals during December have been assisted, 23 from Andre Miller, 13 from Ty Lawson and 12 from Andre Iguodala.

"Man, he was just knocking down shots," Lawson said after the Lakers game. "Being 'Brew.' He gets those shots, but today he was knocking down all of them. He was killing it."

For the season, Brewer's 11.

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8 points per game is fifth on the team, most off the bench and almost three points higher than his average a season ago, 8.9. He has led the bench in scoring in 16 of Denver's 30 games. And his 37.8 percent shooting from 3-point range is, dubiously, Denver's best.

The offensive improvement has been the surprise. The Nuggets have never been afraid to match Brewer on a bevy of offensive players, notably on the perimeter. The 6-9 forward, weighing in at 188 pounds, utilizes his long arms to disrupt.

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